Over the past few years, I’ve noticed a trend when meeting with people to discuss their life insurance needs.  It looks something like this: a husband and wife sitting in our boardroom discussing how much life insurance the husband should have so that the wife is taken care of.  Sometimes there is a young child in the corner of the meeting room coloring on a piece of paper. There’s really nothing WRONG with this picture, except for the fact that many times the conversation doesn’t continue much beyond the “worth” of the husband.  When analyzing a family’s need for life … Continue reading

Summertime is in full swing and this means it’s time for some fun in the sun.  Whether you’re out barbequing or lounging by the pool, it’s important to stay safe while having fun.  I have come up with a few summer related tips to keep you enjoying the heat. 4th of July = Fireworks With the 4th of July right around the corner, it’s important to brush up on a few firework safety tips.  If not handled with care, fireworks can cause injury and/or damage to your home.  Here are a few tips to help your Independence Day go a … Continue reading

Believe it or not, winter is almost at it’s peak.  We are coming into the coldest and most severe part of the year from a weather standpoint.  It is at this time which fireplaces and woodstoves are used most heavily.  While these supplemental heating sources not only help our energy bill, but give us a warm fuzzy feeling  – it’s understandable that their utilization goes up in the winter months! With increased use, comes increased potential for house fires and smoke damage.  It is vitally important to keep a watchful eye on your supplemental heating units to avoid putting yourself … Continue reading

Now that spring is finally here, one of the more common calls we receive in our office is from our clients who have classic or antique vehicles and need to apply for insurance.  What many people don’t realize is the insurance can differ greatly depending on if it is a classic car or antique car. Let’s look at an example.  The State ofMichigan (where we are located) allows someone to license a vehicle as an antique if it meets these requirements: 26 or more years old – based on the model year Owned solely as a collector’s item Used only … Continue reading

May is National Disability Insurance Awareness Month. Having a national focus on disability is important because in the United States, a disabling injury occurs every second; whereas, a fatal injury occurs every four minutes. We often overlook the importance of insuring one of our most valuable assets – our ability to earn an income. Did you know that during the course of your career, you are three and a half times more likely to be injured and need disability coverage than you are to die and need life insurance? If this isn’t reason enough to schedule an appointment to review your disability insurance, here are … Continue reading

Today is National Baby Day – what does that bring to mind?  Maybe family excitement, car seats, clothes, and cribs.  Maybe future uncertainly like high school, college planning, or employment opportunities for your child.  One of the last things we think about when a baby is born is life insurance.  Let’s rethink that. According to the website www.lifehappens.org, the official non-profit organization on life insurance, only 19% of children have life insurance in place.  So if you haven’t considered this option for your kids, you aren’t alone. Think about this: A person is generally at their healthiest when they are … Continue reading

I was reading an interesting article in USA Today called GenY is Finally in the Mood to Buy.  The article highlights that coming of age GenY’ers (90 million strong) are finally making the commitment to purchase their first homes.  This comes off the tail end of one of the country’s greatest recessions – where 20 something’s have struggled to find jobs, have moved home to live with mom and dad in record numbers, and are now as a group, almost 4 years delayed in the home buying process. The article continues to describe what Millennials are looking for in their … Continue reading

Even though it might not seem like it, spring will soon be upon us.  In order to get there, we have the last leg of winter to muscle through.  It is during this time of year that we start to see questions about claims in two distinct categories: water seepage in basements and collapse of roofing systems.  There are some important steps that you as a homeowner SHOULD be taking to minimize your risk of these nasty and time consuming problems. Shoveling your roof periodically through the heaviest snow fall months will ensure that your roof stays clear of snow … Continue reading

Every year, thousands of sets of skis or snowboards are stolen from resorts and hills across the country.  With ski sets and snowboards ranging from $500 to $1,500 in value it’s worth contacting your agent to add them to your homeowners or renters insurance policy.  Still, many people don’t insure their winter sports equipment and are stuck with the bill for purchasing new equipment.  With policies costing pennies on the dollar, it is a cost effective investment to protect your property. To learn more about insuring your winter sports equipment, contact Heather Mosher | 906.315.7235 | heatherm@vastsolution.com.

Marilyn Monroe wasn’t lying when she sang at the top of her lungs that “diamonds are a girl’s best friend!”  I would argue that diamonds aren’t only our friend, but our feel good on a Saturday night jewelry item, and the only thing that beats a piece of dark chocolate on a bad day. But are you taking care of your friend the way you should be?  According to Rough Notes, a leading insurance industry publication, it is estimated that fewer than 25% of women’s diamond rings in the United States are insured.  This is a surprising number given the … Continue reading